Suzuki GSX1250FA (2010-2016) - Review & Buying Guide

All too often the term ‘worthy’ is used in a somewhat derogatory way when aimed at a bike. This shouldn’t be the case. There are a lot of bikes out there that while far from sexy, are actually very good machines at doing the job they are destined for. One such bike is the Suzuki GSX1250FA. Designed to appeal to those who want a mild-mannered sports tourer, the GSX1250FA is a versatile, comfortable and balanced bike that while hard to describe as thrilling, is extremely effective at mile-munching and also cheap. It is, in short, a very worthy bike. Heavily based around Suzuki’s Bandit 1250 platform and launched in 2010, the GSX adds a bit of extra visual appeal thanks to a full-fairing, new dash and headlight sourced from an older GSX-R1000 model but in reality it is simply a fully-faired Bandit. Is there anything wrong with this? Not at all, for a very reasonable amount of cash you get a beautifully smooth, big-capacity, bike that just loves to demolish miles. Not everything in life has to be sexy, sometimes you want the reassurance offered by a comfortable pair of carpet slippers...

Pros & Cons

Suzuki GSX1250FA (2010-2016) - Prices

In 2010 the GSX1250FA cost a remarkably cheap £6999. Yes, under £7k for a 1255cc inline four! That made it about £2000 cheaper than rivals such as the Honda CB1300S and Yamaha FZ1 Fazer and over £4000 less than a Honda VFR1200F or Kawasaki 1400GTR. Ok, it was a few quid more than the Bandit 1250S, but you got a better-looking bike (although the GSX’s muted paint schemes were pretty uninspiring) and a full-fairing. Nowadays you can pick up a GSX1250FA for as little as £2000, although it will probably be looking a bit ropey. Realistically, aim to spend between £3500 and £4000 to get one with around 20,000 on its clocks. If you want the GT model, which basically just adds dealer-fitted luggage, you need to pay about £500 more. The absolute top end you want to shell-out for a GSX is £5000.

Suzuki GSX1250FA (2010-2016) - Engine & Performance

The GSX1250FA’s selling point is its engine, which is identical to the Bandit 1250’s motor. A simply wonderfully smooth and grunt-laden motor, the liquid-cooled inline four is ultra-easy-going and pulls any gear (there are six of them) with minimal complaint. A bit of an underrated engine due to the fact that it was only ever used in the budget-conscious Bandit and GSX, it feels pleasingly old-school in the way it rides and is over-engineered to ensure reliability. Very, very, few GSX models ever suffer from major engine issues – it is generally the ancillary items that cause problems. And as you would expect, they are the same annoyances that the Bandit models also suffer from – which is both good and bad news. Bad because it would have been nice for Suzuki to iron them out (the GSX was launched three years after the Bandit), good because they are known issues and therefore the solutions are easy to find. So here we go...

The most common complaint from owners is the neutral switch, which either sticks on and tells you the bike is permanently in neutral when it isn’t or just stops working. Fixing it isn’t hard, you simply need to remove the offending switch from where it is located (lefthand side, above the front sprocket area, behind the cover) on the engine (there are loads of guides online if you get stuck), give it a good clean and replace it. Generally this is enough to get it working again but if not, a new item is £130 from Suzuki. Or about £30 used from an online auction site.

Next up is the starter motor, which can burn out over time. Again, it’s a fairly easy item to locate and replace with new pattern items costing roughly £100 (you can also buy heavy duty ones, which is recommended). Don’t buy one from Suzuki, it will cost you £700...

The GSX has quite a few engine sensors so be wary of any Fi fault codes. Generally it is the secondary throttle position sensor (TPS) that fails, which is about £100 to replace, but it needs careful set-up by a professional. Avoid any bikes with Fi issues, if it isn’t the TPS it could be an injector, coil or one of the many other sensors. You don’t want to open that can of worms...

While mechanically very solid, the GSX’s engine does require regular servicing and has 4000-mile service intervals with the valve-clearances checked at 14,500 miles (generally rounded up to 16,000). A lot of owners will do the oil and filter themselves, which is fine, but check the valve-clearance service has been completed by a competent mechanic. Always give the inside of the tank a good inspection for rust or debris, it has an internal fuel pump and that can become clogged up, robbing the bike of performance. A new T-bag filter is cheap at £15 (a complete pump replacement kit is £50) and it is worth spending the time and replacing this filter to ensure the fuel is flowing unhindered. Any blockages can make the bike both lethargic and also snatchy on the throttle.

Suzuki GSX1250FA (2010-2016) - Handling & Suspension

The GSX’s chassis has very slightly different geometry to the Bandit, making it a touch more agile but nothing too serious. Aim it at a series of bends and the GSX is solid, assured and unflappable. Fairly porky at 257kg, like the Bandit it tends to roll through bends rather than slam on its side but you can certainly enjoy a twisty pass or two and not feel like you are on a lardy full-dress tourer. Reach the kind of angles that the Suzuki’s pegs might touch the ground and the fairly budget suspension starts to get overwhelmed but do you really want to be riding a GSX like this? Not really, knock it back 30% and enjoy the roads at a spirited, not fast, pace instead. If you can afford it, a fork refresh and new shock makes a big difference to the ride quality but not necessarily the GSX’s handling, mainly as it is a heavy and long bike and you can’t mask this through upgraded suspension. Pleasingly, the ABS is actually very good, which is a bit of a surprise on an older bike.

When buying used, the main worries are simply down to condition. Look for stone chips that can lead to rust on the frame, flaking paint and the usual worn bearings etc. As the GSX has ABS as standard, ensure the sensor ring isn’t damaged or badly corroded and also look at the brake likes. Ideally they should be quality known-brand braided steel items by now, not the OE rubber units. If they are original, factor in about £300 to swap them for new lines on the grounds of safety. As an ABS system is involved, this isn’t always a job for a home mechanic unless you really know your stuff.

Suzuki GSX1250FA (2010-2016)- Comfort & Economy

The GSX was designed as a sports tourer and it is remarkably comfortable. The rider’s seat has two positions, which is great to see, and the pillion seat is very comfortable. The fairing is effective (always check behind it for any signs of damage from a spill) and the screen not bad at all, although lots of owners either fit a taller screen or and aero deflector.

When it comes to economy, figures of around 50mpg are normal and that equates to a tank range of just over 200 miles until reserve, which is more than enough for a sports tourer.

Suzuki GSX1250FA (2010-2016) - Equipment

The GSX has ‘useful’ equipment to fit its worthy nature and that means a two-stage adjustable rider’s seat, centre stand as standard, ABS and gear position indicator on its dash alongside a fuel gauge. Suzuki sold a selection of accessories, however generally it was only the luggage, hugger and vario touring screen that riders fitted. Suzuki UK did make a GT version of the GSX, however it was just a stock bike with Suzuki’s official luggage (paniers and top box) and taller screen fitted by a dealer. If you want to go touring, this is the model to search out. Interestingly, Suzuki also sold a decal kit, which makes the fairly muted paint schemes look much more eye-catching.

Suzuki GSX1250FA (2010-2016) - Rivals

The GSX is up against rivals budget-conscious do-it-alls and is generally bought by those looking at touring or commuting on it.

Suzuki GSF1250/S Bandit (2007-2016) | Approx. Price: £2000-£4500

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Power/Torque

96bhp / 80lb-ft

Weight

250kg

Honda VFR1200F | Approx. Price: £3500-£7500

Read more

Power/Torque

170bhp / 95ft-lb

Weight

267kg

Kawasaki Z1000SX (2014-2016) | Approx Price: £3000-£5500

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Power/Torque

140bhp / 82lb-ft

Weight

230kg

Suzuki GSX1250FA (2010-2016) - Verdict

The GSX1250FA has a lot of plus points and when you consider just how much metal you are buying, it is excellent value for money. The inline four engine is beautifully easy-going as well as reliable and aside from some questionable finish in certain areas, it is hard to criticise the Suzuki much. Yes, it’s undeniably a bit worthy, but is that really such a bad thing? If you are after a solid commuter that will happily can double-up as a relaxed two-up tourer, you could do a lot worse.

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Suzuki GSX1250FA (2010-2016) - Technical Specification

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